(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
In the closing game of their series with Colorado State, Arizona State looked to clinch their first weekend sweep of the year on a special night at Oceanside Ice Arena. The Sun Devils were not decked out in their normal maroon, gold and white attire, but instead wore pink for the Breast Cancer Awareness.
CSU got the puck moving early on in the first period, pressing extremely hard, keeping ASU goaltender Jordan Nash-Boulden very busy. Their early aggression with the forecheck payed off big when CSU forward Stephanie Talone netted her first goal of the season via the backhand to give the Rams a 1-0 lead.
From then to the rest of the first period, they continued to dominate in not only time of possession, but on the shot board too, outshooting the Sun Devils 15 to 9.
The second period brought with it a new and rejuvenated Sun Devil team. ASU found themselves spending more time with the puck, while also staying aggressive on the forecheck. Much like the Rams in the first period, the aggressive forecheck would lead to an early second period goal by sophomore Megan Mroczek, her first of the season.
“It feels really good… Super good,” said Mroczek, who was in high spirits after the game for multiple reasons. “Last time I wore the pink jerseys, I broke my spine. So, it’s always good to stay safe and score goals.”
The rest of the second period continued to lean the Devils’ way, but not without some peril. With 4:09 remaining in the second period, ASU goaltender Jordan Nash-Boulden made a beautiful save from a CSU two-on-one breakaway opportunity.
Penalties dominated the waning minute of the second period and ASU found themselves down to a 5-on-3 penalty kill to start the third period.
Nash-Boulden was yet again the hero for the Sun Devils, making save after save within the first minute of the third period to help kill off the 5-on-3 power play.
“I was seeing the puck all night, and that was really important” said Nash-Boulden reacting to her goaltending performance.
The game would remain tied for the most of the third period until a late rush from the Sun Devils. Amber Galles sealed the deal with a go-ahead and game-winning goal, her fifth goal of the season, coming off a rebound from CSU goalie Mackenzie Roberts with 16 seconds remaining in the game.
ASU went on to take the game 2-1, also securing their first weekend sweep of the year, while improving to 3-2-1 on the year. The Saturday win gives them more wins already this season than the team had all of last year. The Sun Devils now go on a 19-day break before facing off against #8 Minnesota in Boulder, Colorado.
